Projectile offset



July 32, 1949. c. w. WANDREY PROJECTILE OFFSET Filed Sept. 5; 1946 TO FUZ6 Patented July 12, 1949 UNETED ST 2,475,? 30 PROJECTILE OFFSETClarence W. Wandrey, the United States of Application September 3Claims.

This invention relates to a motion-retarding device and has for itsprincipal object the provision of a device for retarding motion of amovable member subject to a force.

Another object is to provide a simple and rugged mechanical devicehaving a minimum number of parts for replacing the well-known pneumaticor hydraulic dash pot. A particular object is to provide means forproducing a control function which requires the application of apredetermined minimum force to a mechanical member for a predeterminedminimum interval of time.

Other objects will become apparent as the scription of my inventionproceeds.

There are many mechanical applications in which a force is required toproduce a desired eifect, not immediately, but after the lapse of adefinite time interval. One example of this is a delayed armingmechanism for ordnance missiles where for reasons of safety it isdesired that the missile be armed only after it has been fired (orlaunched in the case of a rocket) and has proceeded a safe distance fromits starting point. To accomplish this various devices are employedwhich may be made to function by the forces acting on the missile duringacceleration to its maximum velocity. To prevent accidental arming dueto a fall or to any shock resulting from careless handling it isdesirable that the action of the force required to arm the missile be ofthe same order of magnitude and duration as when he missile is fired.

My invention provides a simple, small and rugged device suitable forthis purpose. Specifically, my invention consists of an inertia memberin the form of a linear toothed member cooperating with an escapementmember such as a pivoted double pawl whose ends or pallets alternatelyengage the teeth of the inertia member when the latter is subjected to aforce which is transmitted to the escapement member.

In the figures:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the nose of a projectile embodying myinvention, showing the device in its initial state,

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the inertia element, showing itdisplaced from its initial position,

Figure 3 is a view in partial cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Figure1,

Figure 4 is a view showing the inertia element of Figure 1 displaced toits extreme position under acceleration,

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the guide and pawl supporting element.

Wheaton, IlL, assignor to America as represented by the Secretary of War1946, Serial No. 694,490

Inertia member 1, vided with a slot 3. 5 extending through any motionexcept linear axial direction of slot 3. Post 8 is suitably fastened toor integral with extension 5 and pivotally supports escapement 9 foralternative engagement with teeth 2 or 2. Spring Hi restrains member Ito the position shown in Figure 1.

If the device is accelerated to the left as shown in Figure l, the forceof acceleration tends to move inertia member I to the right relative toguide t. If this force is sufliciently great to overcome the force ofspring l0, member I will act upon escapement 9, causing it toalternately engage teeth 2, 2, thus slowing the action of member l in amanner similar to that of the Well-known clock escapement. If theacceleration continues until member I approaches the end of its possibletravel the member acts upon the control device represented byover-center lever l2 to throw same to the operative position. This mayclose a circuit if the device is electrically controlled or may trip alatch if the device is mechanically controlled, but in either case itwill be designed to arm the missile so that it will be effective tofunction upon its target in the desired manner, as by contact therewith,by time control or by electrical control.

It will be readily apparent that my invention functions to retard anddelay linear motion in either of two directions as does the well-knownhydraulic dash pot, and could be used to replace such dash pots in manyof the present uses of the latter, as in door checks for preventingdoors from slamming, etc. Many other uses will suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art.

When used as a delay arming device as shown in the figures it will beapparent that any shocl; or force of insufficient duration to arm thedevice will cause the inertia member I to move against the action ofspring l0 an insufiicient distance to actuate control device l2. Uponcessation of such force the spring In will return the inertia member toits initial position so that dropping or careless handling of neitherarm the device nor effect its predeterteeth axially thereof, fixed mesaid member motion thereof, a double-pallet escapement pawl actuatedthereby in one extreme position of said pivotally mounted at a pointfixed with respect member.

to said guide so that each pallet will engage suc- CLARENCE W. WANDREY.cessive teeth of one of said two parallel rows of teeth upon axialmovement of said elongated 5 REFERENCES CITED The following referenlcesare of record in the not to stop movement of said elongated-member. ;thpatent;

prising spring means for retaining said axially UNITED STATES PATENTSmovable member in one extreme position thereof. 310 ;-.Number Name Date3. The invention as recited in claim 1 and com- 455,364 Shaw July 7,1891 prising a control device so positioned ==with re- -1;2'60;-801Pukerud Mar. 26, 1918 spect to said axially movable -.member:. as torbe1,72t6,325 vVaraud Aug. 27, 1929

